A cardiothoracic surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in surgical procedures on the heart, lungs, oesophagus, and other organs in the chest. This includes surgeons who can be called cardiac surgeons, cardiovascular surgeons, general thoracic surgeons, and congenital heart surgeons.
General thoracic surgeons treat primarily lung cancer and diseases of the esophagus and chest wall. This field calls for a lot of patience for candidates as they will have to handle crises and work long hours continuously. Having good nature and respect for working with other humans as a team is a prerequisite for the program.
MS Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Highlights
Course Level |
Post Graduation |
Duration |
3 years |
Stream |
Cardiothoracic Surgery |
Examination Type |
Yearly |
Eligibility |
M.B.B.S. |
Admission Process |
Based on the performance in the entrance examination |
Average Course Fee |
INR 3K to 8 Lacs |
Average Starting Salary |
INR 3 to 12 Lacs |
Top Recruiting Companies |
Fortis Healthcare, Max Healthcare, Care Hospitals, Indian Council of Medical Research, Apollo Hospitals, Kailash Hospital, Adecco India Private Limited, Jaypee healthcare limited, Meditrina Hospitals Private Limited etc. |
Eligibility Criteria for MS Cardio-Thoracic Surgery
1. Candidates are supposed to have qualified for their Master’s degree in cardiology or should hold an M.B.B.S. degree with minimum aggregate marks as stipulated by the college or university.
2. They are supposed to attend the entrance examination held by various colleges and universities.
3. Some reputed colleges may hold the session of Direct Interview for seeking admission to the PG course in Surgery.
4. Indian nationals can apply under the General category. Foreign nationals or Non- Resident Indians or Indian nationals supported by NRI relatives can apply under the Foreign/ NRI Category.
Admission Process
1. Cardiothoracic surgeons will graduate from medical school and go on to complete either a 5-year general surgery residency followed by a 2- or 3-year cardiothoracic surgery residency program, or enter into a 6-year integrated cardiothoracic surgery residency.
2. Along with regular candidates, foreign nationals are also required to appear in the entrance examinations as a few institutes only admit candidates based on performance in the qualifying examinations.
3. Applicant on relevant entrance examinations determines admission to various universities and colleges.
4. Some private colleges and deemed universities perform their counselling process by conducting their university-level entrance exams.
Career after MS Cardio-Thoracic Surgery
A cardiothoracic surgeon operates the chest-related organs of a human body that were initially diagnosed by a cardiologist. After completing cardiothoracic training, you can pursue subspecialties within the field, including Congenital cardiac surgery, Transplant surgery, and Thoracic aortic and endovascular surgery.
They usually work in hospitals and perform emergency as well as scheduled operations. Some of the cardiothoracic surgeons also work in teaching hospitals working as teachers and guides for medical students aspiring to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Job Profile |
Job Description |
Medical Physicist |
Performing analytical work, conduct computer-aided and bioengineering techniques such as radiotherapy, x-ray imaging, tomography, ultrasound and so on as well as administrative and technical work. |
Cardiothoracic Specialist |
Medical professionals who conduct surgeries for life-threatening diseases belonging to heart, lungs, and chest. |
Surgery Coder |
Checking notes, tests and maintaining medical records and assigning codes for each patient’s experience. |
Demonstrator (Surgery) |
Training surgical trainees in improving their knowledge and educating them about the anatomies. |
Clinical Manager |
Managing clinical and administrative duties, developing and implementing policies, monitoring budgets and attending meetings. |
Thoracic Surgery Consultant |
Provide patient care within the parameters of professional competence, following the guidelines set in the procedures. |
Professor/Lecturer |
Imparting knowledge of the subjects and nuances of surgery to the student to make them proficient surgeons. |
Cardio-Thoracic Surgery: FAQs
Ques. Who is a cardiothoracic surgeon?
Ans. A cardiothoracic surgeon operates the chest-related organs of a human body that were initially diagnosed by a cardiologist.
Ques. What are the top medical entrance examinations?
Ans. NEET, AIIMS-EE, JIPMER-EE, SCTIMST-EE
Ques. What is a cardiothoracic surgeon's salary?
Ans. The average total salary offered to a cardiothoracic surgeon is somewhere around Rs. 2 lakh per month. The top-level salary of a head cardiothoracic Surgeon is Rs. 10 lakh per month which includes overtime pay and bonuses too.